Dear Friend,
Greetings: I am a retired attorney. A few years ago a man came to me with a letter. He asked me to verify the fact that this was legal to do. I told him I would review it and get back to him. When I first red the letter my client brought me, I thought it was some "off-the-wall" idea to make money. A week and a half later we met in my office to discuss the issue. I told him the letter he originally brought me was not 100% legal. My client then asked me to later it to make it perfectly legal. I asked him to make one small change in the letter.

***
It goes on for another 2 pages about how if you send $1 to the 6 names on the list & you will make $800,000.00 in just 3 months. You pay for a list of names to send letters to. I KNOW this is a scam. I just can't figure out how I got it. It came to me at my married name (junk-mail tends to come to my maiden name), & it came to my actual house address. (My driver's license lists my PO Box & if you look me up at the DMV, the physical address is actually my prior residence...haven't had time to change it yet.) The phone & electric aren't registered in my name, they're registered to my husband. (There's not a water bill, we have a well.)

What I wanna know is: How did this come to me, with my correct name at my current physical address??? The 'person' who sent the letter is: Mr. Louis Jordan/1234 Shakespeare Avenue/Apt # 2E/Bronx, NY 10452

Also, a co-worker recently had someone slip this same letter under his door at his apartment building...Anyone hear anything about this??

Wrong. TU.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that if you start such a letter, or even just forward one on, you are breaking the law. Title 18, section 1302 &1341; of the US Postal and Lottery Laws actually states that chain letters (e-mail or otherwise) are illegal "if they request money or other items of value and promise a substantial return to the participants." Selling a report (which, coincidentally, is just more propaganda about the scheme) or adding respondents to a mythical mailing list do not make this thing legal.

eric
in mass

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 | 11:52 AM

I got the same letter a couple of months ago. I knew it was a scam, however a legal one (since you're asking to be put on their mailing list - a service). However, I did it and sent out a hundred letters. The money stopped coming, but I received a total of 283.00. Certainly not $800,00!! But it was worth the investment of $33.00 in stamps and an hour of my time. Anyone else experience similiar results?

Curious
in Recliner

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 | 08:23 PM

How'd you get 100 37c stamps for $33?

BTW, it's still illegal....

Eric
in USA

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 | 06:09 AM

Sorry, I meant $37.00. I wasn't aware that it was illegal. I thought because you were "buying a service," it was a loophole. But it did work for me. Over three hundred dollars isn't a bad investment. I'm going to start looking for legal chain letters. There must be some way to make it legal and still make it work.

Be safe, check these links out. "buying a service" is no loophole - the problem is you are taking a risk and sending money -hoping- to receive money, and that's gambling. Pushing it thru the mail also makes it Federal....

cmca
in bunkie

Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2005 | 04:55 PM

I received this letter also. I had just lost my home, so I showed my mom, We have never received a chain letter so we thought it was legit. I bought addresses from the internet and sent the letters out. I received some back and wrote on one of the envelopes was - is this legal? -
I thought it was. I sent out 200 of these things. I have not received any money but I didn't know it was illegal. I'm just hoping anybody who receives one of these letters from me will just throw it in the trash. I never expected to receive 800,000 but I really hope I don't get in trouble for this. I'm a divorced mom with two kids. I work hard but there just never seems to be enough money to make ends meet. This seemed like an inexpensive way to make extra money.

Cranky Media Guy

Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 | 05:37 AM

cmca, no, chain letters are never legal. If you'd like confirmation of this, ask your local postmaster. I wouldn't say that I had participated in one; just say that you received one and you want to know if it's legal.

It's highly unlikely that you will be prosecuted for your participation in a chain letter. I suspect that the postal officials are far more interested in the "big fish." Keep in mind, however, that I'm not a lawyer and this is just my personal opinion. I am correct, though, that chain letters are NOT legal.

cindy Member

Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 | 11:44 AM

Thanks for your opinion CMG, I really hope nothing happens. If anyone out there receives one of these things from me, please accept my apology and just throw it in the trash. I will never send one of these things out again. Lesson learned.

Cranky Media Guy

Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 | 02:39 AM

cindy said:

"Thanks for your opinion CMG, I really hope nothing happens. If anyone out there receives one of these things from me, please accept my apology and just throw it in the trash. I will never send one of these things out again. Lesson learned."

No problem, Cindy. I really doubt that anything will happen to you; the postal authorities have their hands full dealing with the big fish.

You might consider checking out a few books from the library about pyramid schemes, chain letters and Ponzi schemes just to learn how this stuff works. It's a pretty interesting subject, I've always thought. Look in the card catalog under "fraud" or "impostors and imposture." There are some nifty books out there.

roberto
in virginia

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 | 09:40 PM

i have also recieved this mail chain letter, i was so interested that i went out and tried it. ive been sending out letters now for about 4 months and ive been recieving money in the mail! a dollar at a time. i love the chain letter idea, and it worked for me (3,000 dollars on a 300 dollar investment). i say give it a try, if it doesnt work, so you lost 50 bucks! if your a smoker, you lose more then that in a year. deal with it, take a chance, it wont kill you!

Cranky Media Guy

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 | 04:15 PM

Roberto, what you are engaged in is illegal. Chain letters have been illegal since the days of the Depression when they became so popular that the overwhelmed the Post Office.

No, the chain letter won't kill you, but it *could* put you in jail. NOW how good an idea does it seem to be involved in one?

Just so you know, the odds are that you won't get caught, but if for some reason you attract the attention of the postal authorities, you should be aware that they have an extremely high percentage of conviction. They rarely lose a case.

Debby
in Suisun

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 | 03:09 PM

Perplexing? I just received one of these letters. I first checked the internet to see if this was a hoax. It may not be a hoax, but it is risky. The two links provided above with the law outlined were very helpful. But, they still don't prove that it is illegal. According to the law, it is illegal if there is a lottery, or you could say, some form of gambling. Some of this is left up to interpretation. Is sending these letters a gamble? If you and the law think it is, then it is illegal. If you and the law don't think it is, then it is legal. Often people do need to interpret the law. As much as I would love to see some money rolling in, I don't think I will take this chance. Not only do you have to pay for stamps, but you have to pay for paper, printing, and the mailing lists. The idea that there is a risk involved makes me feel as if it were gambling. I believe that if enough people complained, the post master will be looking into this.
Also, interesting is the fact that there was no return address on my letter, and the man who wrote the letter is not in the mailing list. Either he screwed up, or there is more to it being a scam.

burlie
in la la land

Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 | 07:19 PM

The person who sends you the letter isn't claiming to be an attorney. The person who started it is claiming to be an attorney. Then each person, (who may not be an attorney) just adds his/her name to the bottom of the list. I have received this letter three times but have never responded to it. Sounds too good to be true, maybe?

Eightieschick70

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 | 03:30 PM

Oh wow me and my husband got this letter too
we both work full time but still aren making ends meet. we kept the letterfor 2 months before we did anything. we tossed the idea around saying what if. then we started getting signs (i know it sounds strange... but we did) anyway. we just sent them off like a week ago. yikes now im worried. we really were grasping at straws to get out of our finacial delema. sometimes i think that the government does whatever they can to keep the little guy down. im sorry and i hate it but thats really how i feel. im sorry that i sent those off now.

Eightieschick70

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 | 05:36 PM

Hello,
after my last entry i was thinking some more.
weve tryed a few money making businesses off the internet and you know...all they want you to do id advertize for them and you know, ive never seen a penny. I really think this is better than that. its people helping eachouther and no one takes any more risk than anyone else. instead of giving my money to sone big business and letting them scam me for free advertising ild rather help out someone like myself who has dreams. its never bad to dream...without dreams we would be nothing. and if this would really work for someone who is desperate enough to try it then i say great. it really seems to me that the world consists of too many people who only want to keep eachouther down instead of lifting eachouther up and thats why the world is going down hill.

hcmomof4
in So. Cal.Member

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 | 07:59 PM

Eightieschick70,
There probably are a few things that the government involves itself in that DO keep the "little" guy down. In this case, though, it is actually trying to keep the little guy from getting screwed. (My personal opinion is that mostly the government doesn't even SEE us little guys...)

Here is just one link explaining the problem with this idea: Pyramid schemes

Cranky Media Guy Member

Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 | 03:11 AM

Eightieschick70, there is another little wrinkle in this scam: IT'S ILLEGAL. ALL postal chain letters are illegal under U.S. law. You don't have to take my word for it; just go to your local postmaster and ask him/her. Just say that you got a solicitation for one in the mail and you want to know if it's legal. Then it's up to you if you want to break the law or not.

Oh, by the way, just about ALL scams will tell you that they're "just people helping people." I've been hearing that bullshit since the 80's when I was a radio DJ in Allentown, PA trying to warn people not to get involved in a Ponzi scheme that was making its way through the Lehigh Valley at the time. In the World O' Scams' nothing much really changes, just the packaging.

Sheila Sawyer

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 | 08:05 AM

I received this chain letter also. However there was a cover page on mine that states Make $250,000 in weeks AS SEEN ON OPRAH & 20/20 ***Oprah Winfrey and ABC's Investigation team 20/20 also prove it can be done*** ***proven by various, highly-respected U.S.TV and Radio programs as being 100% legal, feasible and true*** How do I go about notifying Oprah and 20/20 that their names are being used to promote this chain letter??? And/or did they really endorse this as being legal???

MissyMay24 Member

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 | 04:08 PM

I can tell you where they get your name from. My daughter got one of these exact letters today at my house. She recently moved here and changed her address for her Victoria's Secret credit card. The cards are issued by a bank that goes by the name of WFNNB.

After she changed it, they got the address wrong the first time and she notified them of the correct address, which they changed. However, not before selling her name and the incorrect address as part of a mailing list.

If not for that typo, she wouldn't have known where somebody she doesn't know got her name and address.

If you do any business with WFNNB and you don't want them to sell your name, you have to call an automated line and specifically opt-out. You can find them online at wfnnb.com

So, if you have a department or specialty store credit card such as Victoria's Secret, JC Penney, Gap, Wal-mart, Nordstrom, Sears, Office Depot, Old Navy, it could be affiliated with WFNNB so you might want to make sure they know you don't want your name sold.

Heck, you might want to check with the issuers of all your credit cards, regardless.

nate

Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 | 02:00 PM

So i am looking at the letter right now. i got it in the mail last sunday. so i here a bunch of people saying it is illegal. but there aren't any true facts that back them up. I acutally took it to a lawyer and he told me that it is open for interpratation. For starters it is a chain letter becasue it is the same letter everyone gets and you add a link of the chain by adding your name. second the person that started this letter isn't asking for a dollar but simply telling you to send a dollar to the people on the list. I send money to my brother for his birthday is that leagal. also it says to use a certian company to get the mailing list. well if that is illegal then don't use that company. it continues to say if you mail it out to 200 people they will send you a dollar just like you sent the six people a dollar. The reason this isn't illegal is becasue all you are doing is sending money for nothing. i had a dream one night that just like a kid i would run around and aks for a quarter. people would give me a quarter all the time. i saved alot as a kid and it turned out for the better. it payed for my college. all these points are up for interpratation. it is not illegal to send someone money. it is not a pyramid because the person that started it gets dropped off the list. it is a chain letter however and that is illegal. im going to try this and if i loose 100 bucks oh freekin well. i'll spend that in the bar on a sat night any way so big deal. based on opinion this particular letter is not 100% illegal and since im not a lawyer i can't be expected to know 100% of the law.

Cranky Media Guy

Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 | 04:05 PM

nate said:

"So i am looking at the letter right now. i got it in the mail last sunday. so i here a bunch of people saying it is illegal. but there aren't any true facts that back them up. I acutally took it to a lawyer and he told me that it is open for interpratation."

Nate, if you really did take the chain letter to an attorney and he told you that, he doesn't know what he is talking about. As I've said before, just ask your local postmaster about it.

What you've described is a classic chain letter and those have been illegal in America since at least the 1930's.

Putting that aside, if you use your brain, you'll see that it simply isn't possible that everyone who participates in a chain letter makes more money than they put in. Where would the excess money come from? Those few who make out on these scams are taking money from the many who lose out. There is no other possibility.

Even if you don't care about taking money from other people (most of whom are probably involved in the scam because they're desperate), odds are you'll be a takee rather than a taker. And there's also that whole "illegal" thing.

pat henry Member

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 | 11:32 PM

CMG said:

"if you use your brain, you'll see that it simply isn't possible that everyone who participates in a chain letter makes more money than they put in".

Perhaps the brain CMG uses is too jaded and cynical to step back and understand more clearly how life moves and shifts. The "everyone" who may choose to participate at a given time would most probably evolve into another "everyone" at another point in time. And so on and so on. Circumstances change. Needs change.

I just received this particular letter also. I hardly see how anyone is "getting screwed". Did six people conspire to screw me out of a dollar? ($6.00).
Is the originator of the letter screwing me? He cycled out long ago, as does every one else who participate after six generations.
Perhaps Kinkos started this??
Suspicious of the recommended mailing list business? Pick another.
Pyramid scams are when the people at the top win and those at the end of the line loose.
Though there is a temporary pyramidal dynamic involved, In this case it is obvious that after six moves you're cycled out.

As see this vehical as harming no one.
I, myself need and could use a little financial help at this time and may choose to participate.

Legal? Ill go with "little fish" and "open for interpretation".

CMG, wanna go after real "hoaxes" and real "scams"? Why not join an true patriotic organization such as "We The People" and go after the biggest hoax and scam of them all. Its called the "Federal Reserve". You know...that faceless cabal of elite bankers that hoohwinked the American people back in 1913 when most of congress were not present to vote on the proposed "Federal Reserve Act" durring Christmas vacation, and which was never ratified by by the required number of states. If youre interrested in checking this out, Arron Russo ("Trading Places")just put out a film ,"America-From Freedom To Fascism". Google it. Many interviews with former IRS agents who resigned after investigating and discovering that there was in fact no law that requires anyone to pay income tax. They've been "scewing" American citizens for..well... almost a century. Which, come to think of it...may be why many folks today are struggling with multiple jobs, loosing homes, and could use a little help. But then, the feds will have a hard time taxing these little moving dollars wouldnt they?

Cranky Media Guy

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 | 03:18 AM

pat henry said:

CMG said:

"'if you use your brain, you'll see that it simply isn't possible that everyone who participates in a chain letter makes more money than they put in'".

"Perhaps the brain CMG uses is too jaded and cynical to step back and understand more clearly how life moves and shifts. The "everyone" who may choose to participate at a given time would most probably evolve into another "everyone" at another point in time. And so on and so on. Circumstances change. Needs change."

Uh huh. And by what mechanism would all those people (whoever they are at any given moment) make more money than they put in? Since everyone joins in the hope that they will come out ahead and since that isn't possible for the vast majority of them (although they are lead to believe that they WILL come out ahead), how is that NOT a scam?

OK, you don't like the Federal Reserve system. I get that. How does that make a pyramid scheme NOT a scam? At best, it's merely a lesser scam that the Federal Reserve.

Are you contemplating not paying your taxes on the grounds that they're illegal? If so, you should know that you're far from the first person to propose that theory...and you would be far from the first person to go go prison for failing to pay federal taxes. That doesn't mean that you're necessarily wrong about the illegality of federal taxation. They have the guns and SWAT teams and the desire to make an example of you, though.

Eightieschick70
in Minnesota

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 | 08:21 AM

Well ok its really not a pyrimid scheme. it is a chain letter and weather or not its leagal, let me tell you it doesent work. by the time you buy the mailing list, stamps, envelopes, and get copies made, youve spent over a hundred dollars.
I did try this but i only sent out half of the copies and was waiting to see if i got any response before sending out the rest. no response. its really a waste of time and money.the mailing list company could have started this so they could get people to buy mailing lists? Well anyway. it diddnt work for us. if it works for any of you, ild like to know please.

Charybdis
in HellMember

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 | 11:26 AM

Wow, from chain letter scams to the Fed/Income Tax. That's really a leap of logic.

Eightieschick70, contact your local Postmaster. They will inform you that it is definitely illegal, so there won't be any doubt about it.

And as to federal taxation legality, it's never been changed or successfully challenged. That pretty much makes it legal, by default.

Eightieschick70
in Minnesota

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 | 11:53 AM

um...ok Chary...well considering im telling people not to do it,......whats your point???

Marco
in Chicago

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 | 03:58 AM

Yesterday I received the same letter mentioned above with six names and addresses on the final page. One of the names is ("Cindy R????? Gerber, CA 96035") and this may be the same Cindy that made a post on this subject Sun Oct 23, 2005 | 07:44 AM. If it is the same Cindy do not worry I'm a cool guy and will discard the letter. If its you, you are now 3rd in line and I just can't help but to wonder how much you have received so far if anything?

As for everyone else ALWAYS DO YOUR RESEARCH before attempting any business project or money making scheme. That is why we have the Internet and the local library.

Hey, I got two letters on the same day but this guy has now moved to Federal Way, Washington. I looked at his house on Google Map (the guy who put a return address label on the envelope...like that's probably really his!) Anyhow, he must be a public defender and not a good one at that looking at the house and neighborhood.

I'm going to the Post Office in the morning!

Cranky Media Guy

Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 | 03:07 AM

David said:

"I'm going to the Post Office in the morning!"

To check on the legality of the chain letter or to participate in it?

lh
in USA

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 | 08:43 PM

Oh My.....I wish I had found this site a long time ago. I got several of these letters and the most recent was a couple of months ago. I went as far as contacint the 6 names on the letter and they responded with yes they did receive money and quite a bit of it. I gave a bogus name and went on with I would send the letter..but never did....I check pricing on the mailing lists..heck one of the companies number doesn't even work....I have looked and looke d trying to figure out if it was legal or not. I have a family member who work for the usps and they said they never had seen one. well I am glad I didn;t do it, but sometimes wonder what would happen if I had.....
I do know how they get your names for a mailing list. Its when you have inquired about home based business'. You have to make some type of contact so basically you are not getting unsolicited mail. You have requested the information. Not through you credit cards or from your bills.

Len
in Philadelphia

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 | 09:32 PM

I received one of these letters too, and I sent out 500 copies. I don't see how spending my own money on stamps, envelops, copies, and addresses (from the number they gave) and follow all the instructions of the letter is illegal.

Here's my situation... I'm sure everyone here "believes" or has "faith". For years, I've been purchasing lottery tickets, hoping for a chance to win. I tried gambling (and it's way too addicting...) I've tried it all.

This letter arrives at my house. I held it for 4 weeks comtemplating whether or not to do anything with it.

I keep seeing on here that it's "legal," it's "illegal", it's "risky." I don't see how. Is it "illegal" to try it out, to see what happens?

If it is "illegal," then I am extremely sorry. But I don't see the trouble for having something as simple as a letter to believe in.

I know there's a possibility I don't receive a dime for this, but I also know there's a little hope out there for some of us. I'm just getting out college, and I have to pay the whole college loan myself, with no help. Plus, I have other debt through hospital bills. I know there's people 10 times worse than me out there.

I think of this as a "chance." I sent out the letters the same reason why I go to the gas station and spend 50-100 dollars on lottery tickets. I mailed the letters the same reason why I go to gamble (trying to hit that wheel of fortune spin and hope to hit "big money."

That's just my opinion. I just sent it out to see what happens. Just from reading the letter, it sounded like a huge relief that there still is a little hope in this world, and I'm sick of how people try to ruin it for you.

Len
in Philadelphia

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 | 09:39 PM

But if it IS illegal, then I just disregard the letter. I mean, maybe I should have done research on this. I don't know..

Eightieschick70
in minnesota

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 | 07:41 AM

Len- I have just as much faith and want to hit it big I enter publishers clearinghouse every day.
my family keeps telling me to stop dreaming and hoping but i think we all want a way out of this rat race, anyway, you talked of gambling. well if this is illeagle then your taking a big gamble. you could be fined big money and or put in jail.
im not sure ild want to risk it and take that kind of gamble. the stakes are way too high.

Charybdis
in HellMember

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 | 10:10 AM

Yes it's illegal, no you probably won't get prosecuted.

It's a pyramid scam. In order for someone to receive money they have to get it from someone else. In order for someone to receive more money than they put into somebody else has to receive less. In other words, for you to come out ahead someone else has to lose out. At best it's gambling, which is also generally illegal. At worst it's fraud because people are duped into thinking they can make it rich when 99% of them will only lose money.

The purpose of a pyramid scam is to prey on greedy people. You might get lucky and come out ahead if you're one of the early birds, but more than likely you'll lose everything you put into it. Only the people who start them ever really make anything. That's why it's a scam - the people starting them know nobody else is going to make any money but they lie and tell you that you will. And since that can only happen if you also scam others that puts the guilt on you for participating as well.

If making money by scamming people and taking their money doesn't bother you (and at this point you can't argue ignorance) then go ahead and participate. But you'd be better off starting one of your own since you'll probably only lose money on this one.

Cranky Media Guy Member

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 | 04:09 PM

Len said:

"I know there's a possibility I don't receive a dime for this, but I also know there's a little hope out there for some of us. I'm just getting out college, and I have to pay the whole college loan myself, with no help. Plus, I have other debt through hospital bills. I know there's people 10 times worse than me out there."

Len, I'm sorry for your difficulties, but nevertheless, a chain letter IS illegal. The sad reality is that you won't accomplish anything other than losing whatever money to contribute to this scam anyway. A Chain letter is NOT started to "help friends" (or whatever they said in yours); it's intended to make money for the people who STARTED IT.

I've said this before, but I'll repeat it for your benefit. You're not very likely to get prosecuted for merely participating in a chain letter, but if for some reason you are, the postal authorities have a very high rate of conviction.

Len
in Philadelphia

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 | 04:25 PM

I just feel really "stupid" for even falling for this. I wish I found this site sooner. I never received anything like this before, this is the first time, so I thought it was legit for some reason. I guess we all have these thoughts in the back of our minds in someway... So if anyone gets a letter from Leonard (Philadelphia, PA), disregard it.

Besides, I didn't really think I'd make a dime off of this anyway. So in a way, I feel like I'm in a casino just throwing money away.

But for all of us, hitting money in a "legal" way would be a nice feeling. Back to reality now...

lh
in USA

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 | 07:19 PM

I do have a question. Yes, we are all dreamers in one way or another. Everyone's situation is different. Everyone that has posted or responded must have received the same letter at one time or another. Heck, we all may have sent the letters out, but would probalby never honestly answer if you did or didn't.
How can it be a pyramid letter, each name is moved up. There is no way the originator is still even on the list anymore.
Once again, the question is,"Is IT or Is IT NOT" not legal. The letter states you are sending a dollar to be added to a mailing list. Second, the lists you buy are from humans just like up you have inquired about either home based business or earn extra money at home. That is the only way you get on a mailing list like this.
How do you determine whats right or wrong anymore. Some states it illegal to gamble, so you do it elsewhere. Its illegal to gamble for money in private homes, does that stop us....no it doesn't. I live in a state that its legal to buy scratch off tickets, play buy powerball tickets, even has horse tracks....all LEGAL, but its legal to have a casino.....
If you send the mailings out, who is it to determine whats in the envelopes. Remember its illigal to open mail that doesn't belong to you. But on the other hand the mail belongs to the USPS til its delivered.
This is a mixed up statment. The mail belongs to the Postal Service til its delivered to the proper person, but does it give them the right to open envelopes without return addresses? IS that legal.....
So really who is right or wrong here. The Postal system is making money by us buying and using the stamps, but illegal to mail the letters.
We all daydream and hope to make it rich quick. But have others deciding whats legal or not. I thought we have certain rights. But I guess the government is trying to take that away also.
I have vented enough here.
lh

Charybdis
in HellMember

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 | 11:00 AM

Lh, if you're still in doubt simply contact your local postmaster or check out this link from USPS.com.

Postal Inspectors have the legal right to open your mail. It's done every day, especially during customs when mailing internationally. Again, most letters won't be opened, and even if they are you're unlikely to be prosecuted for it unless you're sending out hundreds or thousands of them.

As to right, we all have the right to be protected from fraud. People who engage in fraud should be prosecuted, or would you rather the government sat back and didn't do anything to help people keep from losing their money?

Cranky Media Guy Member

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 | 06:11 AM

You know, it's funny; I got my first-ever chain letter a few weeks back. It was from someone in Texas I don't know. I can't even figure out why this person picked me to write to.

Now that I'm reminded of it, I'm debating whether or not to turn the letter into the postal authorities. If I knew for sure that the sender was the person who STARTED the chain, I would do it for sure. I suspect, however, that they are just some poor sucker who is way down the chain, in which case I would feel bad about reporting them.

Eightieschick70
in minnesota

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 | 07:23 AM

Ok my question is ths, alright, we already know this is not leagal, that fack has been established but, Why in the letter does it tell you tp put away a percentage of the money for taxes??? wouldnt the IRS want to know how you aquired this extra money? If this worked and you got 800 thousand dollars (fat chance) how would you explain to the government how you got this money? wouldnt they prossacute you for getting money in a illegal way?

Cranky Media Guy Member

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 | 04:43 PM

Eightieschick70 said:

"Why in the letter does it tell you tp put away a percentage of the money for taxes???"

They do it to try to convince you to get involved with the chain. They want to make it look as if they aren't encouraging you to participate in an illegal scam. After all, if they telling you to pay your taxes, they MUST be legitimate, right?

The sad fact is, the vast majority of people who get into chain letters aren't going to have any newfound money to pay taxes on. Just ask yourself how it would be possible for everyone to come out ahead. Where would the extra money come from?

Lexi
in Ohio

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 | 02:24 PM

I am trying to decide if I should do this or not. I have figured out how much this would cost to do. It would cost $45 to buy the list of names from the mailing list company. $6 Topay to the peaople for adding your name to thier mailing list, and $70 For stamps add in what envelopes would cost and you havespent around $126. In order for this to be illegal some one would have to be jipping you out of your money. As the letter says you would be paying people to add your name to there list. If you ask them to do this. It IS NOT illegal. I would like to know if this has worked for anyone. If Joseph from florida reads this you are number one in my letter. I wouldlike to know how much you have recieved. Thanks

Cranky Media Guy Member

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 | 04:12 PM

Lexi said:

"In order for this to be illegal some one would have to be jipping you out of your money."

Lexi, postal chain letters are illegal. Period. They have been for many years now. You can check this with your local postmaster/mistress.

I know you very much want to believe that it ISN'T illegal so that, if you decide to participate, you aren't breaking the law, but you WILL BE if you do.

gaming
in us

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 | 06:15 PM

I wouldn't want to open 800,000 letters...lol.

shell
in charlotte, nc

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 | 04:51 PM

The person doing the scaming is the post office.They are the ones getting all the money, 41 cent stamp times 200??? right.. my first reaction is this was sent from the us postal office.

Cranky Media Guy Member

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 | 09:42 PM

shell said:

"The person doing the scaming is the post office.They are the ones getting all the money, 41 cent stamp times 200??? right.. my first reaction is this was sent from the us postal office."

Uh, what evidence do you have for that accusation? Chain letters have existed for decades, going back at least as far as the Great Depression. That's LONG before 41 cents postage.

Eightieschick70
in minnesota

Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 | 04:32 AM

yes it is long before stamps were 41 cents cranky but.... you know inflation. anyway you look at it your spending money most of us dont have and THIS DOESNT WORK!!!!! ive tryed it. I diddnt get one response, even though I only sent out half of the letters. I still would have gotton something, IF IT WORKED. whos to say that people would be honest and send a dollar to the ones on the list? what is keeping people from just getting the stamps and doing it without sending the 5 people a dollar? The post office if benifitting greatly from chain mail. (almost makes me wonder if it isnt a government conspiasy.) you know the rich are always looking for ways to scam money off of the poor. thats how a majority of them become rich in the first place. have a great day, and dont allow anyone to scam you please.

Cranky Media Guy Member

Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 | 05:12 PM

Eightieschick 70 said:

"I diddnt get one response, even though I only sent out half of the letters. I still would have gotton something, IF IT WORKED."

You didn't get a response because it's a SCAM. It isn't designed for YOU to make money; it's designed for the person or persons who started the chain to make money.

The post office is NOT behind chain letters. If you ask your local postmaster/postmistress, they'll tell you that chain letters are ILLEGAL. They have been since at least the 1930's when they were a national fad.

As with a lot of get-rich-quick scams, chain letters become popular at times of financial hardship. Chain letters are really just a mail-based form of a pyramid scheme. I fully expect to see non-mail pyramid schemes making a comeback any time now. Keep your eyes open for those.

Eightieschick70
in minnesota

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 | 01:24 PM

Crankey, did you read the rest of my posting? thats exactly what I just said!!!!

Cranky Media Guy Member

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 | 04:58 PM

Well, you said that you thought the post office might be behind chain letters and I was refuting that notion.

While I agree with you that it often seems as if the rich profit off the poor, I really doubt that it's rich people who run chain letters, either.

Mostly it's just some individual who thinks they've reinvented the wheel, so to speak, and figures a chain letter is a way to make some fast and easy money.

James
in Georgia

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 | 02:17 PM

It worked for me. I didn't make $800,000.00, but i made a little over half at $413,610.00! Don't knock it until you try it-- If you follow the instructions it will work. I thought it was a scam, but I decided the total investment of $120.00 was worth a shot. I have decided to re-enroll into college and pursue my dreams instead of working 9-5 and barely surviving each month. I will do this again. My father, who is a current politician and former attorney, verified the legality of the program. He stated it was not illegal unless you manipulate the letter and ask for money--because remember you are still selling something, compiling a mailing list!

Charybdis
in HellMember

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 | 04:23 PM

Wow, what a completely bogus comment. Let's see if we can trace your IP and report you for admitting to mail fraud.

Cranky Media Guy

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 | 05:16 PM

James said:

"My father, who is a current politician and former attorney, verified the legality of the program. He stated it was not illegal unless you manipulate the letter and ask for money--because remember you are still selling something, compiling a mailing list!"

That "you're selling something" excuse has been used for decades to defend chain letters. Sorry, that does NOT get you off the hook. As I've said repeatedly, all a person has to do is check with their postmaster.

If it was legal as you say, why wouldn't everyone be doing it? Tell your "father" that he's full of shit.

Tina
in Chaska mn 55318

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 | 05:22 PM

James, Im not knocking anything that I havent tryed. Mabey you just got lucky. I diddnt get one response, All I managed to achieve is wastin time and money that I dont have in the first place.

Jadedmiller
in Ohio

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 | 04:06 PM

Everyone is cracking me up on here! Charybdis
in Hell, who are you to trace these poor people?
Why would you want someone to get arrested, just for trying to get ahead in life? Leave these people alone!It looks as if NOONE really knows if this specific chain letter is illegal. I, myself have received this letter as well. I have no desire to turn these people into the authorities just for trying to make some money. No, I haven't yet joined in, but I may. There are SO MANY of these in circulation, don't you think that maybe one of the authorities may have received one, and arrested the bad guys if it was soooo illegal? Jeez, I'd be more worried about predators than people mailing out a stupid letter!

Charybdis
in HellMember

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 | 11:07 AM

Well Jadedmiller, since it was obviously a bogus comment aimed at inflaming us I simply replied with a sarcastic retort. Evidently it went over your head.

As for poor people trying to get ahead in life, you're right - I should leave them alone. In fact, the next time I see someone breaking into a house I won't bother calling the police. After all, I don't know that they're breaking the law, and they're probably just trying to make some money anyway.

Face it, chain letters asking for money or gifts are illegal. It's incredibly easy to verify this with your local postmaster if you're confused by the concept. The fact that you don't see anything wrong with it doesn't alter the law one bit.

As I said earlier, the odds of you going to jail are very small. There are far too many people forwarding them for the post office to track them down and prosecute them all. It does happen, but probably not to you. But just because the odds favor you in an illegal activity doesn't make it right, either morally or legally. But I guess that doesn't bother you.

Cranky Media Guy

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 | 05:23 PM

Jadedmiller said:

"It looks as if NOONE really knows if this specific chain letter is illegal."

Chain letters are illegal. Period. They have been since at least the 1930's when they were a huge fad (because of the Great Depression and people's desperation), causing the post office to have to hire extra people to handle the extra load. I'll repeat that since people keep coming to this thread and saying that they aren't sure: CHAIN LETTERS ARE ILLEGAL. PERIOD.

"There are SO MANY of these in circulation, don't you think that maybe one of the authorities may have received one, and arrested the bad guys if it was soooo illegal?"

Do you know for a fact that the authorities aren't investigating this at this very moment? Or that no one has been prosecuted recently for being involved in a chain letter?

"Jeez, I'd be more worried about predators than people mailing out a stupid letter!"

Your "logic" here is irrational. The post office wouldn't typically be the organization involved in dealing with predators. The one has little to do with the other. What the post office does or doesn't choose to prosecute would not impact other law enforcement organizations that might be involved in catching predators.

James
in Georgia

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 | 01:23 PM

CrankyMediaGuy: I understand that you are a very angry individual, but come on is using curse words needed? I feel sorry for you, but I will pray for you still.

Anyways, I was a skeptic just like everyone else, but It worked for me. I have been discussing this issue with my father for a few weeks now and I still feel like I made the right decision.

Tina
in minnesota

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 | 02:22 PM

Like I said Before James, Im really glad that it worked for you but, you just got really lucky. I did try it and not one response. whos to say that these people , even the ones that try it are even going to send a dollar to the people on the list. The world just isnt that honest. you took a gamble and you came out ahead. I certinly wouldnt recomend this for someone who really has no money to begin with. It could be like throwing away 135 dollars to someone with very little money, that could pay a utilaty bill or a weeks worth of groceries or something. good luck to you and I hope this continues to work for you. I just know that it diddnt work for me or a majority of the people here who have tryed it.

Cranky Media Guy

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 | 05:24 PM

James said:

"CrankyMediaGuy: I understand that you are a very angry individual, but come on is using curse words needed? I feel sorry for you, but I will pray for you still."

Oh, is THAT what you "understand?" Funny, I'm not angry about anything that I can see.

Since you're into "understanding," why do you seem to have so much trouble understanding the simple fact that chain letters are ILLEGAL and have been for decades?

"Anyways, I was a skeptic just like everyone else, but It worked for me. I have been discussing this issue with my father for a few weeks now and I still feel like I made the right decision."

Did you father tell you that it's OK to break the law? You know, seeing as how he's a "current politician and former attorney" and all.

By the way, WHY is he a "former attorney?" Was he disbarred? Seeing as how he doesn't seem to know that chain letters are illegal (or is willing to advise his son to ignore the law), I wouldn't be surprised.

Either way, I stand by my "full of shit" comment.

Don't bother to pray for me. Your faith is no more sincere than your willful ignorance of the law.